Kathleen Riebe is an educator and two-term Utah State Senator representing District 15 since 2019. Born in Long Island, New York, she graduated from Hofstra University in 1991 with a double major in Elementary Education and Sociology. Before entering politics, she worked as a truck driver, bartender, Alta police dispatcher, and outdoor education teacher in multiple states. On the Utah State Board of Education (2017-2018), she championed education funding and student health initiatives. In the state Senate, she has fought for funding for search and rescue teams and expanded resources for high-need schools. She was the first Democrat to announce for the 1st District seat and ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd District in a 2023 special election.
Riebe represents a working-class background with direct experience as truck driver, bartender, police dispatcher, and teacher. She graduated from Hofstra with education and sociology degrees and has been involved in education policy and public service throughout her career. She taught outdoor education and worked in multiple states before settling in Utah.